Impact of carotid stenting in dizzy patients with carotid stenosis

BackgroundLittle is known about the impact of severe carotid stenosis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of carotid stenting (CAS) on HRQoL in dizzy patients with carotid stenosis.MethodsPatients with symptomatic (≥60%) or asymptomatic (≥80%) severe carotid stenosis and who complained of dizziness and received CAS were recruited. Two HRQoL questionnaires—a generic survey, the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey and a disease-specific instrument, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory—served as outcome measures. Patients were followed 1 week prior to CAS and 6 months postprocedurally.ResultsCAS was performed in 178 consecutive patients, 61 of whom complained of dizziness. Forty-one patients (67.2%, 34 male; mean age, 73.3 ± 10.5 years; range, 47–87 years) completed the study. Twenty asymptomatic volunteers (17 male; mean age, 70.3 ± 9.3 years; range, 54–84 years) served as normal controls. Compared to controls, patients tallied lower scores in the overall total and three subscales (physical, functional, and emotional) of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (p < 0.01). Similar findings were noted in seven out of eight domains of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey score. After 6 months, CAS resulted in significantly improved HRQoL (role physical, bodily pain, general health, social function, and role emotional) in these patients.ConclusionCAS resulted in improved HRQoL in patients with severe carotid stenosis who experienced dizziness.